2013 to 2023, ten years feels like ten days. So much has changed in a time that has felt like a blink of an eye. What has progressed in this period? The people surrounding you and how you depict yourself is what. You’re drawn to someone for their unique look and that starts with the clothing one wears. Their style implies their interests, behaviors, and talents, revealing who they are. High heels have turned into sneakers, jeans have turned into sweatpants, and t-shirts have turned into oversized hoodies. Today, casual is a style choice; some of the highest-paid models or actors have embraced it, influencing future generations.
Charley Jerabek, a Laguna Beach High School sophomore, has demonstrated her interest in fashion through her day-to-day style. She says she “dresses for herself and [her] own passions.” Jerabek describes the 2023 style as casual and comfortable, yet people have learned to make it cool. She says people value comfort, and that’s, in many forms, tied back to everyone’s daily style. Jerabek touches on how fashion has a vast influence; many people wear something they see on another person. Looking back at old trends, she believes that aspect of influential style has stayed the same over the decade. Jerabek states that “casual and comfy wasn’t as normalized.” Sweatpants and hoodies were pajamas, while today, that can be described as an everyday outfit. Jerabek remarks that “fashion is like an art; people do it for their passion rather than what other people think about them.” In 2023, fashion is prioritized, and having your personal style is normalized.
Rickie Farnes is a Laguna Beach High School alumni, yet has returned to LBHS as an English teacher. In the ten years since she graduated, she says that Ugg boots and Lululemon leggings were a big hit, and those have made their way back into today’s fashion. Farnes describes the style as “retro and hippie.” Oversized jeans and t-shirts, even large glasses were in. Farnes states that “there’s always a new way fashion pushes the limits, recycling previous eras,” meaning that old styles always come back, in this case, a decade later. Styles like Adidas and low-rise jeans will be a hit with high school students in 2023. She narrates the style as “laid back,” similar to today. Farnes says the style has developed over the years, and she knows that old trends will always find their way back into new eras.
Today, fashion can have multiple different meanings. Some people use fashion to express their passions and opinions, while others aren’t as intrigued by the power one’s style holds. Over the last decade, the underlying change in fashion is that people have evolved and developed new styles and opinions on trends. Fashion changes daily, so what’s to come isn’t guaranteed. But it can be assured that fashion will continue to be a source allowing people to represent themselves and their passions.
